Acting NASA AdministratorJanet Petro is First Woman to Lead Agency and Kennedy Space Center

Grew up in Satellite Beach, attended Brevard schools before embarking on a groundbreaking career

BREVARD COUNTY • KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA – Janet Petro, a seasoned engineer and civil servant, has made history as the first woman to serve as both the acting Administrator of NASA and the director of the Kennedy Space Center.

Petro, who was appointed acting NASA Administrator by President Donald Trump on January 20, has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s space program. She previously assumed leadership of the Kennedy Space Center on June 30, 2021, following her appointment by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Born in Michigan, Petro’s ties to space exploration run deep—her father worked on NASA’s Mercury and Gemini Programs, which led the family to Florida’s Space Coast. She grew up in Satellite Beach, attending Brevard schools before embarking on a groundbreaking career.

In 1981, she graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in engineering, becoming part of the second class to include women. She later earned a Master of Science in business administration from Boston University.

Petro’s early career saw her serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army’s Aviation Branch, where she piloted helicopters and held leadership roles in Germany.

She later transitioned into aerospace, taking on roles at Science Applications International Corporation and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace before joining NASA.

Her tenure at NASA has been marked by significant transformation.

As Deputy Director of Kennedy Space Center, Petro led efforts to transition the facility into a multi-user spaceport. She also held a temporary appointment in Washington, D.C., as deputy associate administrator and acting director for the Office of Evaluation.

Petro’s appointment as NASA Administrator raised eyebrows among industry insiders, as it bypassed Associate Administrator Jim Free.

In her role, she implemented an executive order from President Trump that led to the elimination of NASA’s Diversity and Inclusion office. She also issued directives requiring employees to report contract description changes, warning of “adverse consequences” for those who failed to comply.

Over the years, Petro has been recognized for her contributions to aerospace and public service. She was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for Management Excellence in 2019.

She has also been awarded the President’s Distinguished Executive Award and NASA’s prestigious Silver Snoopy Award.

As she navigates her leadership role at NASA, Petro’s tenure is expected to continue shaping the future of American space exploration.

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